Far-Ultraviolet Detector Status May 31, 2006

Galaxy Evolution Explorer engineers are working on the telescope's far-ultraviolet detector, which has not been in use since it began experiencing excessive high-voltage current draw on March 30. The team is using a technique referred to as "hi-potting," or cycling the detector on and off at progressively higher voltage, to correct the problem. About a year ago the detector experienced the same type of anomaly, and applying the hi-pot technique restored the detector to full operations. Three years after its launch, the spacecraft continues to return images of galaxies and stars obtained by its near-ultraviolet detector, which is operating normally.